Dilution system

Abstract

To reduce burden on a user in a case of generating a sample solution in which a sample is diluted at a target concentration.SOLUTION: A dilution system (1) comprises: a solvent supply device (30) that supplies a solvent to a dilution container (92) for diluting a sample; a measurement device (10) that measures a weight of the sample contained in the dilution container; and a control device (100). The control device (100) calculates an amount of solvent required to achieve a target concentration based on the weight of the sample contained in the dilution container (92). The solvent supply device (30) supplies the amount of solvent calculated by the control device (100) to the dilution container (92).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dilution system for diluting a sample with a solvent.

Background Art

[0002] In the pretreatment for analyzing various samples, a step of diluting the sample with water, an organic solvent, etc. to generate a sample solution having a specified dilution concentration is required. For this reason, conventionally, various techniques for more accurately obtaining a specified amount of sample required for generating a sample solution are known.

[0003] Japanese Patent No. 6814812 (Patent Document 1) describes a measuring device that immerses an adhesive in a sample in a sample container, and when the weight of the sample attached to the adhesive is the target amount, moves the adhesive to a dilution container, and when the weight of the sample attached to the adhesive is not the target amount, repeats an operation of immersing a new adhesive in the sample in the sample container and an operation of measuring the weight of the sample attached to the adhesive until an adhesive with the target amount of sample attached is obtained. The measuring device described in Patent Document 1 is configured to return the droplets (i.e., excess sample) formed on the measuring tool to the sample container by waiting the measuring tool pulled up from the sample container upward for a certain period of time.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to repeatedly measure the weight of the sample with a measuring device until a specified amount of the sample is obtained. Further, in the case of a viscous sample, it takes time to return the excess sample formed on the measuring tool to the sample container. For this reason, conventionally, the user has not been able to easily obtain a specified amount of the sample in a short time. As a result, the burden on the user for generating a sample solution in which the sample is diluted to a target concentration has been large.

[0006] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and an object thereof is to reduce the burden on the user when generating a sample solution in which the sample is diluted to a target concentration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The dilution system of the present disclosure is a dilution system that dilutes a sample with a solvent, and includes a solvent supply device that supplies a solvent to a dilution container for diluting the sample, a measuring device for measuring the amount of the sample accommodated in the dilution container, and a control device. The control device calculates the amount of the solvent necessary to achieve the target concentration based on the amount of the sample accommodated in the dilution container, and the solvent supply device supplies the amount of the solvent calculated by the control device to the dilution container.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the burden on the user when generating a sample solution in which the sample is diluted to a target concentration.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments will be described, but it has been planned from the beginning of the application to appropriately combine the configurations described in each embodiment. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will not be repeated.

[0011] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the dilution system 1 related to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the dilution system 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dilution system 1 includes a measuring device 10, a transfer device 20, a solvent supply device 30, a vibration device 40, an input device 50, a display device 60, and a control device 100.

[0012] A sample container 91 is placed on the measuring device 10, and a dilution container 92 is placed on the vibration device 40. A sample is accommodated in the sample container 91. The sample is, for example, a high-viscosity fluid. High-viscosity fluids are typically cosmetics, drugs, foods, and greases, etc. The solvent supply device 30 supplies a solvent to the dilution container 92. The solvent is typically a solvent liquid such as water and methanol.

[0013] The transfer device 20 is attached to the slider mechanism 22 so as to be movable in the positive and negative directions of the X-axis shown in FIG. 1. The transfer device 20 includes a gripper 21. The gripper 21 has a pair of arms for sandwiching and holding the spatula 70. A recess 71 for holding a sample is formed in the spatula 70. The gripper 21 moves in the positive and negative directions of the Z-axis shown in FIG. 1, and scoops up the sample with the spatula 70 from the sample container 91. The spatula 70 is an example of a sampling member for collecting a sample.

[0014] The control device 100 is typically a computer (for example, a personal computer). As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 100 includes a processor 101, a memory 102, and an input / output interface 103.

[0015] The processor 101 is typically an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The processor 101 reads and executes the program stored in the memory 102 to control the transfer device 20, the solvent supply device 30, the vibration device 40, and the display device 60.

[0016] The memory 102 is realized by a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), for example. The ROM stores the program executed by the processor 101. The RAM temporarily stores the data used during the execution of the program in the processor 101 and functions as a temporary data memory used as a work area. The HDD is a non-volatile storage device. Instead of or in addition to the HDD, a semiconductor storage device such as a flash memory may be employed. Note that the above program and / or data may be stored in an external storage device accessible by the processor 101.

[0017] The input / output interface 103 enables communication between the processor 101 and external devices. The external devices include the measuring device 10, the transfer device 20, the solvent supply device 30, the vibration device 40, the input device 50, and the display device 60.

[0018] The user inputs instructions to the control device 100 using the input device 50. The input device 50 is typically a mouse, keyboard, etc. The control device 100 starts the process of diluting the sample based on the user's instructions. The user's instructions include the target concentration, etc. The control device 100 displays the status of the process, etc. on the display device 60.

[0019] The measuring device 10 measures the weight of the sample container 91 containing the sample and outputs the measured value to the control device 100. The control device 100 controls the operation of the transfer device 20. The control device 100 commands the vibration device 40 to start and stop vibration.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the process of generating a sample solution by diluting a sample with a solvent. With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the process by which the dilution system 1 generates a sample solution will be described.

[0021] First, after the transfer device 20 takes out the ladle 70 having a recess of an appropriate size with the gripper 21 from a ladle folder (not shown), etc., the transfer device 20 transfers the ladle 70 to the sample container 91. The transfer device 20 immerses the ladle 70 in the sample contained in the sample container 91 and then pulls up the ladle 70. As a result, the sample of the high-viscosity fluid adheres to the recess 71.

[0022] Before the sample is collected by the ladle 70 and after the sample is collected by the ladle 70, the measured value of the measuring device 10 fluctuates. The control device 100 calculates the weight of the sample scooped up by the ladle 70 based on the amount of fluctuation of the measured value. The control device 100 calculates the amount of solvent required to achieve the target concentration based on the calculated weight of the sample. For example, when the target concentration is 10 percent and the weight of the sample scooped up by the ladle 70 is 10 grams, the control device 100 calculates 90 grams as the amount of solvent required to achieve the target concentration. The target concentration is input to the control device 100 via the input device 50. The control device 100 commands the solvent supply device 30 to supply the amount of solvent required to achieve the target concentration to the dilution container 92.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3(A), when the transfer device 20 pulls up the ladle 70, it aligns the recess 71 along the wall surface of the sample container 91. As a result, the surface of the sample held in the recess 71 is leveled. As a result, it is possible to prevent the amount of the sample collected by the ladle 70 a plurality of times from varying greatly each time. However, even when the step of leveling the surface of the sample is performed in this way, it is difficult to completely control the amount of the sample collected. In particular, when the sample is a high-viscosity fluid, the amount of the sample transferred from the ladle 70 to the wall surface of the sample container 91 is expected to vary each time the sample is collected. For this reason, the amount of the sample remaining in the ladle 70 will be different each time the sample is collected. Note that the step of leveling the surface of the sample may be omitted in this way.

[0024] The transfer device 20 transfers the ladle 70 holding the sample from the sample container 91 to the dilution container 92. The transfer device 20 drops the ladle 70 holding the sample into the dilution container 92. Thereby, the sample collected from the sample container 91 is transferred together with the ladle 70 to the dilution container 92 without any remainder.

[0025] As described above, in Embodiment 1, the spoon 70 holding the sample itself is put into the dilution container 92. Therefore, according to Embodiment 1, the step of separating the spoon 70 and the sample and putting only the sample into the dilution container 92 can be omitted. In particular, when the sample is a high-viscosity fluid, it is difficult to separate all the samples adhering to the spoon 70 from the spoon 70. According to Embodiment 1, such a difficult step can be omitted.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 3(B), the solvent supply device 30 supplies a solvent to the dilution container 92 into which the spoon 70 has been put according to the command of the control device 100. The sample held by the spoon 70 gradually dissolves into the solvent.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3(C), the vibration device 40 applies vibration to the dilution container 92. As a result, the sample held by the spoon 70 is completely separated from the spoon 70 and dissolves into the solvent. As a result, a sample solution with a target concentration is generated. After the sample container is generated, the user takes out the spoon 70 from the dilution container 92. In this case, the user may take out the spoon 70 from the dilution container 92 by hand, or the transfer device 20 may be diverted to take out the spoon 70 from the dilution container 92.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the process executed by the dilution system 1. FIG. 5 is a subroutine showing the procedure of the sample collection process. Hereinafter, the processing procedure of the dilution system 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0029] First, the control device 100 receives an input of a target concentration and an approximate required amount of the solution from the user (step S1). Next, the control device 100 stores the target concentration in the memory 102 (step S2). Next, the control device 100 executes a sample collection process (step S3). The sample collection process is shown in FIG. 5. The transfer device 20 receives a command from the control device 100 and executes the sample collection process.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 5, the sample collection process will be described. First, the transfer device 20 transfers the ladle 70 to the sample container 91 (step S31). Next, the transfer device 20 collects a sample from the sample container 91 (step S32). Next, the transfer device 20 transfers the ladle 70 upward along the wall surface of the sample container 91 (step S33).

[0031] Next, the transfer device 20 transfers the ladle 70 from the sample container 91 to the dilution container 92 (step S34). Next, the transfer device 20 inserts the ladle 70 into the dilution container 92 (step S35). Then, it returns to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 4, after step S3, the control device 100 calculates the weight of the sample based on the change in the weight of the sample container 91 (step S4). In this way, the control device 100 calculates the weight of the sample contained in the dilution container 92 based on the weight difference of the sample container 91 before and after the sample is collected from the sample container 91.

[0033] Next, the control device 100 calculates the supply amount of the solvent based on the target concentration and the weight of the sample (step S5). Next, the control device 100 drives the solvent supply device 30 to supply the calculated amount of solvent to the dilution container 92 (step S6). Next, the control device 100 drives the vibration device 40 to vibrate the dilution container 92 to dissolve the sample in the solvent (step S7). Thus, the process based on this flowchart is completed.

[0034] As described above, in Embodiment 1, based on the amount of the sample collected by the ladle 70, the amount of the solvent required to achieve the target concentration is calculated. As a result, it is not necessary to strictly control the amount of the sample collected by the ladle 70.

[0035] This is particularly effective when the sample is difficult to collect in a certain amount, such as a highly viscous fluid. Since a highly viscous fluid strongly adheres to a sampling member such as a ladle and does not fall by its own weight, when transferring the highly viscous fluid from the sampling member to a container such as a dish placed on a balance, an operation of rubbing the sampling member against the container is required. When it is necessary to transfer an accurate amount of the sample to the container, the operation of rubbing the sampling member against the container needs to be repeated. If an excessive amount of the sample is transferred to the container by that operation, an operation of returning the sample from the container to the sampling member is required.

[0036] Conventionally, it has taken time and effort to obtain a sample as targeted. On the other hand, in Embodiment 1, there is no need to accurately adjust the amount of the sample in the first place. Therefore, the labor for accurately obtaining the sample can be saved. Further, according to Embodiment 1, since the amount of the solvent is automatically calculated, the user can also save the labor of measuring the required amount of the solvent.

[0037] As described above, according to Embodiment 1, the burden on the user when generating a sample solution in which the sample is diluted to a target concentration can be reduced. Note that the dilution system 1 according to Embodiment 1 may be adopted as a part of the functions of a pretreatment system (pretreatment apparatus).

[0038] The sample targeted by the present disclosure is not limited to a highly viscous fluid and may be a liquid or a powder. When targeting a liquid sample, the angle of the ladle 70 when pulling the ladle 70 out of the sample may be adjusted so that the sample scooped up by the ladle 70 does not spill.

[0039] In Embodiment 1, the sample container 91 is configured to be placed on the measuring device 10. However, alternatively, a measuring device may be provided on the gripper 21. In this case, the control device 100 may calculate the weight of the sample accommodated in the dilution container based on the difference between the measured value obtained from the gripper 21 before the sample is collected by the ladle 70 and the measured value obtained from the gripper 21 after the sample is collected by the ladle 70.

[0040] Alternatively, the measuring device 10 may be provided in the vibration device 40. In this case, the control device 100 stores in advance the weight of the spoon 70 when no sample is held. The control device 100 calculates the weight difference of the dilution container 92 before and after the sample is introduced into the dilution container 92, and subtracts the weight of the spoon 70 from the calculation result, thereby calculating the weight of the sample contained in the dilution container. In short, the measuring device 10 only needs to be configured to measure the weight necessary for calculating the weight of the sample contained in the dilution container 92.

[0041] In the first embodiment, the configuration in which a single spoon 70 is provided in the dilution system 1 has been described. However, instead of this, the dilution system 1 may be provided with a plurality of types of spoons each having a recess of a different size. In this case, the dilution system 1 selects a spoon having a recess of an appropriate size according to the target concentration specified by the user or the required amount of the solution. By configuring the dilution system 1 in this way, it becomes possible to handle various concentrations and required amounts of solutions with a single system.

[0042] In the first embodiment, without providing the transfer device 20, the user may collect the sample from the sample container 91 with the spoon 70 and introduce the spoon 70 with the attached sample into the dilution container 92. In this case, the measuring device 10 may be provided in the vibration device 40. Thereby, the control device 100 can calculate the weight difference of the dilution container 92 before and after the sample is introduced into the dilution container 92, and subtract the weight of the spoon 70 from the calculation result, thereby calculating the weight of the sample contained in the dilution container.

[0043] In Embodiment 1, the measuring device 10 is arranged below the sample container 9. However, alternatively, the measuring device 10 may be arranged below the dilution container 92. In this case, a certain amount of solvent may be supplied to the dilution container 92 before the ladle 70 with the sample attached is put into the dilution container 92. The control device 100 measures the weight of the dilution container 92 containing the solvent. The transfer device 20 scoops up the sample with the ladle 70 and then puts the sample into the dilution container 92. The control device 100 calculates the weight of the sample put into the dilution container 92 by calculating the weight difference of the dilution container 92 before and after the sample is put into the dilution container 92. Then, the control device 100 adds a solvent for adjusting the concentration to the dilution container 92 based on the calculated weight of the sample.

[0044] Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the dilution system 1A according to Embodiment 2. The dilution system 1 according to Embodiment 1 puts the ladle 70 itself holding the sample into the dilution container 92. In contrast, the dilution system 1A according to Embodiment 2 separates the ladle 70 and the sample by applying ultrasonic vibration to the ladle 70 holding the sample.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 6, the dilution system 1A includes a transfer device 20A instead of the transfer device 20. The transfer device 20A includes an ultrasonic oscillator 82 and a vibrator 201 electrically connected to the ultrasonic oscillator 82. The vibrator 201 converts the high-frequency power output from the ultrasonic oscillator 82 into ultrasonic vibration. The vibrator 201 is provided on each of the two arms provided on the gripper 21. When the ultrasonic oscillator 82 is driven, the ultrasonic vibration of the vibrator 201 is transmitted to the ladle 70 held by the arm through the arm.

[0046] The dilution system 1A has the same configuration as the dilution system 1 except that a transfer device 20B is adopted instead of the transfer device 20.

[0047] After the transfer device 20A collects a sample from the sample container 91 using the ladle 70, ultrasonic vibration is applied to the ladle 70 at a position above the dilution container 92. The ladle 70 that undergoes ultrasonic vibration expands and contracts at high speed. As a result, the sample held by the ladle 70 separates from the ladle 70 and falls into the dilution container 92. The control device 100 operates the ultrasonic oscillator 82 of the transfer device 20A for a specified time required to separate the ladle 70 from the sample.

[0048] After the elapse of the specified time, the transfer device 20A retracts the ladle 70 from which the sample has been removed from the dilution container 92 to a predetermined retracted position. The control device 100 then drives the solvent supply device 30 to supply the solvent to the dilution container 92. Note that the control device 100 calculates the supply amount of the solvent according to the same procedure as in the first embodiment.

[0049] In this way, after the transfer device 20A collects a sample from the sample container 91 using the ladle 70, ultrasonic vibration is applied to the ladle 70 by the ultrasonic oscillator 82 at a position above the dilution container 92, causing the sample held by the ladle 70 to fall into the dilution container 92.

[0050] According to the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the burden on the user when generating a sample solution in which the sample is diluted to the target concentration can be reduced. In particular, in the second embodiment, the ladle 70 is not immersed in the solvent. Therefore, when the ladle 70 is taken out of the dilution container 92 after the sample solution is generated, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the amount of the sample solution due to a part of the sample solution adhering to the ladle 70.

[0051] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, since ultrasonic vibration is applied to the ladle 70, even if the sample collected by the ladle 70 is a high-viscosity fluid, the sample can be cleanly separated from the ladle 70. In the second embodiment, the vibration device 40 may be provided with a measurement function. In this case, the control device 100 may calculate the weight of the sample accommodated in the dilution container based on the weight difference of the dilution container 92 before the sample is introduced into the dilution container 92 and after the sample is introduced into the dilution container 92.

[0052] Embodiment 3. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the dilution system 1B according to Embodiment 3. In Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, an example using the ladle 70 as the sampling member was described. In Embodiment 3, an example using the nozzle 24 instead of the ladle 70 will be described.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 7, the dilution system 1B includes a transfer device 20B instead of the transfer device 20. The transfer device 20B has a suction device 23. A nozzle 24 is attached to the suction device 23. The suction device 23 sucks the sample accommodated in the sample container 91 from the tip of the nozzle 24 by applying a negative pressure to the nozzle 24. As a result, the nozzle 24 is filled with the sample. Here, it is assumed that the amount of the sample filled in the nozzle 24 is larger than the amount of the sample that can be held in the recess 71 of the ladle 70. The nozzle 24 is an example of a sampling member for sampling the sample.

[0054] The dilution system 1B includes an ultrasonic cutter 80. The ultrasonic cutter 80 is freely movable in the positive and negative directions of the X-axis by a moving mechanism (not shown). The ultrasonic cutter 80 has a knife 81 for cutting the sample and an ultrasonic oscillator 82 for applying ultrasonic vibration to the knife 81. The ultrasonic cutter 80 is an example of a cutting device for cutting the sample. The knife 81 is an example of a cutting member. In the dilution system 1B, the dilution container 92 is placed on the measuring device 10. In the dilution system 1B, the sample container 91 is placed on a table or the like.

[0055] The dilution system 1B has the same configuration as the dilution system 1 except that it includes the transfer device 20B and the ultrasonic cutter 80, and the dilution container 92 is placed on the measuring device 10.

[0056] After filling the nozzle 24 with the sample, the transfer device 20B moves the sample from the sample container 91 to the dilution container 92. The suction device 23 discharges a part of the sample from the tip of the nozzle 24 above the dilution container 92. The control device 100 commands the transfer device 20B as to the amount of the sample to be discharged from the nozzle 24. The transfer device 20B controls the suction device 23 so that the amount of the sample corresponding to the command of the control device 100 is discharged from the nozzle 24.

[0057] When the sample is a high-viscosity fluid, the sample drips from the tip of the nozzle 24. The control device 100 drives the ultrasonic cutter 80 to cut off the sample. The knife 81 that ultrasonically vibrates cuts the sample while stretching and contracting at high speed. Therefore, when cutting the sample, it is possible to prevent a part of the sample from adhering to the knife 81. Thereby, a fixed amount of the sample can be cut off more accurately.

[0058] The cut-off sample is accommodated in the dilution container 92. Thereby, the measured value of the measuring device 10 fluctuates. The control device 100 specifies the weight of the sample cut off from the nozzle 24 based on the amount of fluctuation of the measured value. That is, the control device 100 calculates the weight of the sample accommodated in the dilution container 92 based on the weight difference of the dilution container 92 before the sample falls into the dilution container 92 and after the sample has fallen into the dilution container 92.

[0059] Thereafter, the control device 100, in the same manner as in the first embodiment, calculates the amount of solvent necessary to achieve the target concentration using the calculated weight of the sample and the dilution concentration instructed by the user, and drives the solvent supply device 30 to supply the calculated amount of solvent to the dilution container 92.

[0060] In this way, after sucking the sample from the sample container 91 using the nozzle 24, the transfer device 20B discharges the sample from the nozzle 24 at a position above the dilution container 92. The ultrasonic cutter 80 drops the sample into the dilution container 92 by bringing the knife 81 that ultrasonically vibrates into contact with the sample dripping from the nozzle 24 to cut the sample.

[0061] According to Embodiment 3, similar to Embodiment 1, the burden on the user when generating a sample solution in which the sample is diluted to the target concentration can be reduced. In particular, in Embodiment 3, compared with Embodiment 1, it is not necessary to recover the separated ladle 70 of the sample from the dilution container 92.

[0062] Furthermore, in Embodiment 3, the amount of the sample discharged from the nozzle 24 can be controlled. For example, when it is desired to increase the amount of the sample solution, the amount of the sample discharged from the nozzle 24 can be increased, and a larger amount of the sample can be cut by the ultrasonic cutter 80. Conversely, when it is desired to decrease the amount of the sample solution, the amount of the sample discharged from the nozzle 24 can be decreased, and a smaller amount of the sample can be cut by the ultrasonic cutter 80. In contrast, in Embodiment 1, the amount of the sample is uniformly determined by the capacity of the recess 71 of the ladle 70. Therefore, according to Embodiment 3, the amount of the sample to be introduced into the dilution container 92 can be adjusted compared with Embodiment 1.

[0063] Furthermore, according to Embodiment 3, since the sample is cut with the knife 81 to which ultrasonic vibration is applied, the sample can be cut so that a part of the sample of the high-viscosity fluid discharged from the nozzle 24 does not adhere to the knife 81.

[0064] The measuring device 10 in each of the above embodiments constitutes a "measuring device for measuring the amount of the sample accommodated in the dilution container". That is, the "measuring device for measuring the amount of the sample accommodated in the dilution container" includes, in addition to the mode in which the measuring device directly measures the "weight of the sample accommodated in the dilution container", modes of measuring the weight of the sample together with any one of the weight of the sample container 91, the weight of the dilution container 92, and the weight of the ladle 70.

[0065] Embodiment 4. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the dilution system 1C according to Embodiment 4. In Embodiment 3, an example of acquiring a sample from the sample container 91 using the suction device 23 to which the nozzle 24 is attached has been described. In Embodiment 4, an example of extruding the sample from the tube 26 filled with the sample in advance will be described.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 8, the dilution system 1C includes a sample supply device 20C instead of the transfer device 20. Similar to the transfer devices 20, 20A, and 20B, the sample supply device 20C is attached to the slider mechanism 22 so as to be movable in the positive and negative directions of the X-axis. The sample supply device 20C has a tube 26 filled with a sample in advance and an extrusion device 25 for extruding the sample in the tube 26 from the tip of the tube 26. It is assumed that the amount of the sample filled in the tube 26 is larger than the amount of the sample that can be held in the recess 71 of the ladle 70.

[0067] The control device 100 controls the sample supply device 20C. After moving the sample supply device 20C so that the tube 26 is disposed at the position shown in FIG. 8, the control device 100 commands the sample supply device 20C the amount of the sample to be discharged from the tube 26. The sample supply device 20C controls the extrusion device 25 so that the amount of the sample corresponding to the command of the control device 100 is discharged from the tube 26. Note that the fourth embodiment has the same configuration as the third embodiment except for the configuration of the sample supply device 20C. For this reason, the description of the configuration of the dilution system 1C according to the fourth embodiment is omitted hereinafter.

[0068] According to the fourth embodiment, the step of sucking the sample from the sample container 91 by the nozzle 24 as seen in the third embodiment can be made unnecessary. Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, the processing of the system can be simplified as compared with the third embodiment. Further, according to the fourth embodiment, the sample container 91 as seen in the first to third embodiments can be made unnecessary. Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment, the system configuration can be simplified as compared with the first to third embodiments. Note that the sample supply device 20C may be fixed at a predetermined position above the sample container 91. That is, the sample supply device 20C does not necessarily need to be movable in the positive and negative directions of the X-axis.

[0069] [Aspect] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above-described embodiments and their modifications are specific examples of the following aspects.

[0070] (Item 1) A dilution system according to one aspect is a dilution system that dilutes a sample with a solvent, and includes a solvent supply device that supplies a solvent to a dilution container for diluting the sample, a measuring device for measuring the amount of the sample contained in the dilution container, and a control device. The control device calculates the amount of the solvent necessary to achieve a target concentration based on the amount of the sample contained in the dilution container, and the solvent supply device supplies the amount of the solvent calculated by the control device to the dilution container.

[0071] According to the dilution system described in Item 1, the burden on the user when generating a sample solution in which the sample is diluted to the target concentration can be reduced.

[0072] (Item 2) The dilution system described in Item 2 further includes a transfer device that transfers the sample to the dilution container in the dilution system described in Item 1. The transfer device collects the sample from the sample container using a sampling member, and then puts the sampling member into the dilution container, thereby accommodating the sample collected by the sampling member in the dilution container.

[0073] According to the dilution system described in Item 2, by accommodating the sample collected by the sampling member in the dilution container, the sample collected by the sampling member can be accommodated in the dilution container without any remainder.

[0074] (Item 3) The dilution system described in Item 3 further includes a transfer device that transfers the sample to the dilution container in the dilution system described in Item 1. The transfer device has an ultrasonic oscillator. After collecting the sample from the sample container using a sampling member, the transfer device applies ultrasonic vibration to the sampling member with the ultrasonic oscillator at a position above the dilution container, thereby dropping the sample held by the sampling member into the dilution container.

[0075] According to the dilution system described in claim 3, by applying ultrasonic vibration to the sampling member with an ultrasonic oscillator, the sample collected by the sampling member can be accommodated in the dilution container without any remainder.

[0076] (Claim 4) The dilution system described in claim 4 further includes a transfer device for transferring the sample to the dilution container and a cutting device for cutting the sample in the dilution system described in claim 1. The cutting device has a cutting member and an ultrasonic oscillator for applying ultrasonic vibration to the cutting member. The transfer device sucks the sample from the sample container using a nozzle and then discharges the sample from the nozzle at a position above the dilution container. The cutting device drops the sample into the dilution container by bringing the cutting member that ultrasonically vibrates into contact with the sample hanging down from the nozzle to cut the sample.

[0077] According to the dilution system described in claim 4, by bringing the cutting member that ultrasonically vibrates into contact with the sample hanging down from the nozzle to cut the sample, the cut sample can be accommodated in the dilution container without a part of the sample adhering to the cutting member.

[0078] (Claim 5) The dilution system described in claim 5 further includes a sample supply device for supplying the sample to the dilution container and a cutting device for cutting the sample in the dilution system described in claim 1. The cutting device has a cutting member and an ultrasonic oscillator for applying ultrasonic vibration to the cutting member. The sample supply device has a tube filled with the sample. The sample supply device discharges the sample from the tube at a position above the dilution container. The cutting device drops the sample into the dilution container by bringing the cutting member that ultrasonically vibrates into contact with the sample hanging down from the tube to cut the sample.

[0079] According to the dilution system described in claim 5, the sampling container for sampling the sample and the step of sampling the sample can be made unnecessary. Further, by bringing the cutting member that ultrasonically vibrates into contact with the sample hanging down from the nozzle to cut the sample, the cut sample can be accommodated in the dilution container without a part of the sample adhering to the cutting member.

[0080] (Item 6) In the dilution system according to Item 6, in the dilution system according to Item 2 or Item 3, the sampling member has a recess configured to hold a sample, and the transfer device immerses the sampling member in the sample contained in the sample container and then levels the surface of the sample held in the recess by moving the recess along the wall surface of the sample container, and then transfers the sampling member to the dilution container.

[0081] According to the dilution system described in Item 6, variations in the amount of the sample held in the recess can be suppressed.

[0082] (Item 7) In the dilution system according to Item 7, in the dilution system according to any one of Items 1 to 6, the control device is configured to receive an input of a target concentration from the user.

[0083] According to the dilution system described in Item 7, the user can set the target concentration in various ways.

[0084] The embodiments disclosed this time should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims rather than the description of the above-described embodiments, and it is intended that all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims be included.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0085] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C Dilution system, 10 Measuring device, 20, 20A, 20B Transfer device, 20C Sample supply device, 21 Gripper, 22 Slider mechanism, 23 Suction device, 24 Nozzle, 25 Extrusion device, 26 Tube, 30 Solvent supply device, 40 Vibration device, 50 Input device, 60 Display device, 70 Squeegee, 71 Recess, 80 Ultrasonic cutter, 81 Knife, 82 Ultrasonic oscillator, 91 Sample container, 92 Dilution container, 100 Control device, 101 Processor, 102 Memory, 103 Input / output interface, 201 Vibrator.

Claims

1. A dilution system for diluting a sample with a solvent, comprising: a solvent supply device for supplying a solvent to a dilution container for diluting the sample; a measuring device for measuring the amount of the sample contained in the dilution container; and a control device, wherein the control device calculates the amount of the solvent necessary to achieve a target concentration based on the amount of the sample contained in the dilution container, and the solvent supply device supplies the amount of the solvent calculated by the control device to the dilution container.

2. The dilution system according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer device for transferring the sample to the dilution container, wherein the transfer device collects the sample from the sample container using a sampling member and then inserts the sampling member into the dilution container, thereby containing the sample collected by the sampling member in the dilution container.

3. The dilution system according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer device for transferring the sample to the dilution container, wherein the transfer device has an ultrasonic oscillator, and after collecting the sample from the sample container using the sampling member, the transfer device applies ultrasonic vibration to the sampling member by the ultrasonic oscillator at a position above the dilution container, thereby dropping the sample held by the sampling member into the dilution container.

4. The dilution system according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer device for transferring the sample to the dilution container and a cutting device for cutting the sample, wherein the cutting device comprises a cutting member, and an ultrasonic oscillator for applying ultrasonic vibration to the cutting member, the transfer device sucks the sample from the sample container using a nozzle and then discharges the sample from the nozzle at a position above the dilution container, and the cutting device contacts the cutting member vibrating ultrasonically with the sample dripping from the nozzle to cut the sample, thereby dropping the sample into the dilution container.

5. The dilution system according to claim 1, further comprising a sample supply device for supplying the sample to the dilution container and a cutting device for cutting the sample, wherein the cutting device comprises a cutting member, and an ultrasonic oscillator for applying ultrasonic vibration to the cutting member, the sample supply device has a tube filled with the sample, the sample supply device discharges the sample from the tube at a position above the dilution container, and the cutting device contacts the cutting member vibrating ultrasonically with the sample dripping from the tube to cut the sample, thereby dropping the sample into the dilution container.

6. The sampling member has a recess configured to hold a sample. The dilution system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the transfer device immerses the sampling member in a sample contained in the sample container, levels the surface of the sample held in the recess by causing the recess to follow the wall surface of the sample container, and then transfers the sampling member to the dilution container.

7. The dilution system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control device is configured to receive an input of the target concentration from a user.

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